Capturing testimonial videos at logistics trade shows with AV
Trade shows are gold mines for grabbing authentic customer testimonials. Everyone’s hyped up on coffee, excited about new tech, and already mic’d up for interviews. But if you just shove a phone in someone’s face, you’ll end up with shaky footage drowned out by forklift demos next door. Here’s how to do it right with AV gear that won’t slow you down.
Optimizing Sound for Trade Show Interviews
Sound first, always. Trade show floors are loud. A basic shotgun microphone on your camera won’t cut it; you need a directional lavalier mic clipped to your interviewee (the Rode Wireless Go II is a rental favorite). Pro tip: Record a few seconds of “room tone” (that chaotic background noise) so editors can clean up pauses later. And pack closed-ear headphones; you won’t notice audio glitches through AirPods in a noisy hall.
Portable Lighting Solutions for Trade Shows
Lighting that travels light. You’re not setting up a studio; you’re chasing down busy execs between seminars. A collapsible LED panel (like an Aputure MC) with diffusion slaps onto a stand in 30 seconds. Position it slightly off-axis to avoid flat, passport-photo lighting. If you’re near booth spotlights, use them as backlights to separate your subject from the visual chaos behind them.
Camera Tips for Trade Show Filming
Camera hacks for guerrilla filming. Mirrorless cameras (Sony A7 series) are better than DSLRs for run-and-gun shoots; they are lighter, quieter, and way better in low light. Keep your rig simple: 24 70mm lens (zooms beat prime lenses when you can’t control distance), a mini tripod for quick setups, and twice as many batteries as you think you’ll need. Trade show power outlets are fought over like the last croissant at a breakfast buffet.
Backdrop control (or lack thereof). You want some booth action in the background, it proves you’re at the event, but blur it out with a wide aperture (f/2.8 or lower). If there’s a branded demo playing behind them, time the interview so your subject isn’t competing with a 10-foot screen of exploding fireworks.
The “yes” trick. Bring a tablet pre-loaded with release forms; nobody wants to dig through emails later. Hit record before you ask, “Can I film you?” You’ll capture their natural “Yes!” instead of a stiff, post-permission response.
B-roll or bust. Shoot tight close-ups of hands interacting with products, booth crowds, and candid reactions. No B-roll? Congrats, your testimonial just became a PowerPoint slide.
Trade show testimonials should feel urgent and real, not staged. With the right lightweight AV kit, you can turn 5 minutes of hallway chatter into marketing gold. Just avoid the snack bar; crunching nachos ruins more takes than bad lighting.
